Methane Emissions
Shale Law Weekly Review – January 7, 2020
Water Quality: Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality Publishes Report on Pavillion Water Wells
On December 23, 2019, the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ) published findings as part of the investigation into the drinking water wells in Pavillion, Wyoming. The report is entitled, Final Pavillion, Wyoming Gas Field Domestic Water Wells Report on Recommendations for Further Investigation Pavillion, Wyoming. In the report, WDEQ focused on two recommendations, including additional sampling for bacterial populations which involved evaluating geochemical/biomarkers such as total dissolved solids, sulfide, and methane. The report also analyzed water samples for volatile organic compounds, semi-volatile organic compounds, and […]
Shale Law Weekly Review – November 11, 2019
National Energy Policy: United States Initiates Withdrawal Process from the Paris Agreement
On November 2, 2019, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued a statement that the Department of State formally notified the United Nations that the United States will withdraw from the Paris Agreement. According to Secretary Pompeo, the United States will be officially out of the agreement within one year after the delivery of the notification. U.S. President Donald Trump first indicated his intention to withdraw from the agreement on June 1, 2017, arguing that the agreement puts the country at a competitive disadvantage in the global marketplace. […]
Shale Law Weekly Review – November 4, 2019
Production and Operation: Pennsylvania Legislature Passes Bill Allowing Horizontal Cross-Tract Drilling
On October 30, 2019, the Pennsylvania legislature passed Senate Bill No. 694, which would amend the Oil and Gas Lease Act and authorize operators to drill horizontal wellbores across multiple leased tracts. This law would apply only where the operator has a lease with the landowner of each tract, and the operator is required to allocate production among the various landowners. SB 694 has been presented to Governor Tom Wolf but has not yet been signed. If signed, SB 694 would become effective sixty days from enactment.
Pipelines: Landowners […]
Shale Law Weekly Review – September 3, 2019
Pipelines: Nebraska Supreme Court Rules Keystone XL Pipeline Route is in the Public Interest
On August 23, 2019, the Nebraska Supreme Court affirmed the Nebraska Public Service Commission’s (NPSC) determination that the Keystone XL pipeline’s alternative route is in the public interest (In re Application No. OP-0003, No. S-17-1331). Landowners and environmental groups intervened, bringing this appeal after NPSC approved the “mainline alternative route” (MAR) for TransCanada’s Keystone XL pipeline. Addressing the issues raised by the appellants, the court found that NPSC had jurisdiction to consider TransCanada’s application; that TransCanada “met its burden of proof;” that NPSC “properly […]
